Despite pleas to save the historic Plato Center Grade School building, the Central Community Unit School District 301 board is taking steps to have it demolished in the fall.
The board recently approved seeking bids for demolition of the structure at 41W625 Russell Road that houses the See Saw Day Care Center. Dan Polowy, district director of facility operations, said a contract could be awarded in June, and then July and August would provide time for area residents to collect mementos and artifacts from the site.
“Demolition will not begin until September,” Polowy said.
Constructed in 1920, the building served as a public school until the district closed it in 2000. That same year, the day care center, which had been operating at 275 South St. in Burlington since 1996, decided to open a second location in the Plato Center building. Owner Becky McClure’s lease ends in June.
One mother whose child has been attending See Saw Day Care pleaded to the school board to save the building.
“It is full of nostalgia and memories,” she said. “It’s more than a building. It’s an amazing part of District 301.”
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School board member Maggie Perry said the board understands the public’s feelings and agreed “the Plato Center Grade School building was an important piece of local history.”
Board President Jeff Kellenberger said he has received a number of emails about the building, but the money that would be spent on repairs is needed for classroom additions to current schools.
Polowy said the cost to repair and maintain Plato Center over the next several years is estimated at $568,000. The building needs a new roof and boiler and repairs to masonry and the parking lot.
The cost of demolition, including site restoration, would be $250,000, he said.
Demolition bids may be presented during the next board meeting, Polowy said.
Denise Moran is a freelance reporter for The Courier-News.